U.S. patent application number 12/328205 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for system for distributing digital media to exhibitors.
Invention is credited to J. Richard Glass, Lev D. Lvovsky, James Radford, Michael Radford, Robert Evans Wetmore.
Application Number | 20090144542 12/328205 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40676982 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090144542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wetmore; Robert Evans ; et
al. |
June 4, 2009 |
SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING DIGITAL MEDIA TO EXHIBITORS
Abstract
A system for packaging digital media and distributing digital
media to exhibitors is described, which system enables distribution
by utilizing media content booking, media content packaging,
encryption, and delivery components.
Inventors: |
Wetmore; Robert Evans;
(Manhattan Beach, CA) ; Radford; Michael; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Radford; James; (Fountain Valley,
CA) ; Lvovsky; Lev D.; (Playa Del Rey, CA) ;
Glass; J. Richard; (Edmonds, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Cantor Colburn LLP - Fox Entertainment Group
20 Church Street, 22nd Floor
Hartford
CT
06103
US
|
Family ID: |
40676982 |
Appl. No.: |
12/328205 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61005260 |
Dec 4, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
713/156 ;
380/210; 380/279; 380/28; 380/44; 707/999.005; 713/155;
715/716 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 63/0428 20130101;
H04L 9/3263 20130101; H04L 2209/603 20130101; H04L 9/0819 20130101;
H04L 9/0861 20130101; H04L 9/14 20130101; G06F 16/4393 20190101;
H04L 9/0631 20130101; H04L 2209/60 20130101; G06F 16/9535 20190101;
G06F 21/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/156 ; 380/44;
380/210; 380/279; 713/155; 715/716; 707/5; 380/28 |
International
Class: |
H04L 9/32 20060101
H04L009/32; H04L 9/14 20060101 H04L009/14; H04N 7/167 20060101
H04N007/167; G06F 7/06 20060101 G06F007/06; G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30; H04L 9/28 20060101 H04L009/28; G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048; H04L 9/08 20060101 H04L009/08 |
Claims
1. A system for administering a digital media distribution process,
comprising: a central database system, including: a booking
component that contains information about available encrypted
digital media content and processes bookings for a media viewing;
an encryption key component that delivers or provides access to an
encryption key necessary to display the encrypted digital media
content, wherein encryption keys are automatically generated from
encryption databases in response to bookings made for specific
viewings, and specific trusted viewing equipment.
2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said media content
comprises digital cinema, wherein said trusted viewing equipment
comprises cinema exhibitor equipment, and wherein said keys are
automatically generated from encryption databases in response to
bookings made for specific exhibitors, specific showings and media
versions and specific trusted exhibitor equipment.
3. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said encryption
keys are generated from AES symmetrical keys stored in an encrypted
database.
4. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said encryption key
component delivers said encryption key to the trusted equipment via
modem, via webpage or via third party delivery.
5. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said encryption
keys comprise key delivery message (KDMs) that are generated based
upon secure AES keys.
6. A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said KDMs are
generated for each individual authorized viewing on equipment
verified as trusted from a secure trusted roots list.
7. A system in accordance with claim 6, wherein equipment
certificates are provided from outside the booking and KDM
components, and wherein the KDM component verifies the certificates
based on the secure trusted roots list.
8. A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the system performs
a left join, repeatedly checking to see if a valid KDM exists for
an existing booking and if existing KDMs are current, and generates
a KDM for any changes to a trusted device.
9. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a booking database
schedules bookings based on desired definable versions of media,
the versions defining one or more of a release country, audible
language, subtitle language, closed caption language, and media
format.
10. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said KDMs are
generated for specific trusted devices for a defined booked
duration.
11. A system in accordance with claim 10, wherein a logging
interface provides detailed KDM information, including accountings
of delivered KDMs and undelivered KDMs.
12. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the system
includes a user interface for linking desired definable versions to
a composition playlist (CPL) file, which file provides instructions
for assembling a version from a plurality of media files.
13. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein said CPL defines
the temporal placement of said plurality of media files relative to
one another in order to achieve a desired synchronization during
exhibition.
14. A system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said CPL includes
instructions for assembling less than the total number of media
files that are transmitted to the exhibitor.
15. A system in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a
packaging interface for managing media assets and constructing
CPLs.
16. A system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said interface
includes a filterable asset manager, which provides categorized
listings of available media assets for use in generating a CPL.
17. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said asset
manager allows filtering by title.
18. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said asset
manager allows filtering by media type, comprising picture, sound
and subtitle.
19. A system in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a CPL
generating interface, said interface configured to permit the user
to arrange select media files on a timeline relative to one another
and to specify start and stop points of various arranged media
files in order to generate a CPL corresponding to a desired media
version.
20. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein cinema media
files may be selected for a plurality of cinema picture files,
cinema sound files, cinema subtitle files and cinema closed
captioning files for synchronized play of such files as a reel.
21. A system in accordance with claim 20, wherein an entrypoint for
each of said files in said reel may be independently set.
22. A system in accordance with claim 20, further comprising a
display player for viewing of a current CPL reel configuration
result.
23. A system in accordance with claim 22, wherein said display
player provides a tool for further defining offset of a media file
relative to others within a reel.
24. A system in accordance with claim 22, wherein said display
player provides a tool for further defining a truncation point for
such reel.
25. A system in accordance with claim 22, wherein said player
provides a visual or audible alarm for transition points or reel
jumps.
26. A system in accordance with claim 22, wherein said player
provides an auto-locate feature for jumping to an approximate
beginning of subtitling.
27. A system in accordance with claim 22, wherein said player
provides an auto-locate feature for edit points.
28. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein said media files
are encrypted material exchange format files (MXF).
29. A system in accordance with claim 28, wherein said KDM
component automatically generates and forwards KDMs for authorized
stations or users for purposes of generating a CPL.
30. A system in accordance with claim 28, wherein said MXF files
are generated from one or more uncompressed, unencrypted digital
cinema digital master (DCDM) files.
31. A system in accordance with claim 28, wherein said MXF files
are watermarked.
32. A system in accordance with claim 28, wherein said MXF files
are compressed.
33. A system for packaging digital media for distribution,
comprising: a packaging component, wherein said packaging component
securely converts unencrypted, uncompressed media into encrypted
media files; an encryption key component that delivers or provides
access to an encryption key necessary to display the encrypted
digital media files, wherein encryption keys are automatically
generated from encryption databases in response to a packaging
request from an authorized user or authorized terminal; and a
packaging component, wherein said packaging component is configured
such that an authorized user or authorized terminal may generate an
arrangement of plural encrypted media files that together comprise
a packaged media.
34. A system in accordance with claim 33, wherein said arrangement
comprises a composition playlist file (CPL) that defines the
temporal placement of said plurality of media files relative to one
another in order to achieve a desired synchronization during
viewing of said packaged media.
35. A system in accordance with claim 34, further comprising a
packaging interface for managing media assets and constructing
CPLs.
36. A system in accordance with claim 35, wherein said interface
includes a filterable asset manager, which provides categorized
listings of available media assets for use in generating a CPL.
37. A system in accordance with claim 36, wherein said asset
manager allows filtering by title.
38. A system in accordance with claim 36, wherein said asset
manager allows filtering by media type, comprising picture, sound
and subtitle.
39. A system in accordance with claim 36, further comprising a CPL
generating interface, said interface configured to permit the user
to arrange select media files on a timeline relative to one another
and to specify start and stop points of various arranged media
files in order to generate a CPL corresponding to a desired media
version.
40. A system in accordance with claim 39, wherein cinema media
files may be selected for a plurality of cinema picture files,
cinema sound files, cinema subtitle files and cinema closed
captioning files for synchronized play of such files as a reel.
41. A system in accordance with claim 40, wherein an entrypoint for
each of said files in said reel may be independently set.
42. A system in accordance with claim 40, further comprising a
display player for viewing of a current CPL reel configuration
result.
43. A system in accordance with claim 42, wherein said display
player provides a tool for further defining offset of a media file
relative to others within a reel.
44. A system in accordance with claim 42, wherein said display
player provides a tool for further defining a truncation point for
such reel.
45. A system in accordance with claim 42, wherein said player
provides a visual or audible alarm for transition points or reel
jumps.
46. A system in accordance with claim 42, wherein said player
provides an auto-locate feature for jumping to an approximate
beginning of subtitling.
47. A system in accordance with claim 42, wherein said player
provides an auto-locate feature for edit points.
48. A system in accordance with claim 42, wherein said media files
are encrypted material exchange format files (MXF).
49. A system in accordance with claim 48, wherein said KDM
component automatically generates and forwards KDMs for authorized
stations or users for purposes of generating a CPL.
50. A system in accordance with claim 48, wherein said MXF files
are generated from one or more uncompressed, unencrypted digital
cinema digital master (DCDM) files.
51. A system in accordance with claim 48, wherein said MXF files
are watermarked.
52. A system in accordance with claim 48, wherein said MXF files
are compressed.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/005,260, filed Dec. 4, 2007, the
entire contents of which are specifically incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A number of significant technology developments have
occurred in the past few years that have enabled the digital
playback and display of feature films at a level of quality
commensurate with that of 35 mm film release prints. These
technology developments include the introduction of high resolution
film scanners, digital image compression, high speed data
networking and storage, and advanced digital projection. These
digital cinema systems are local, in-cinema playback and display
systems.
[0003] While these systems are effective in-cinema, there has not
previously existed a system that would enable secure and effective
distribution of digital media to exhibitors.
SUMMARY
[0004] The above-described and other problems and deficiencies of
the prior art are overcome and alleviated by the presently
described system for distributing digital media to exhibitors. This
system enables distribution by utilizing media content booking,
media content packaging, encryption, and delivery components.
[0005] In exemplary embodiments, a packaging platform and a movie
cryptographic administration platform interact to generate and
provide distributed content. An exemplary packaging platform may
transform digital cinema digital masters (DCDMs) into encrypted
digital cinema packages (DCPs), which may be distributed and viewed
at remote locations. An exemplary packaging component may
watermark, compress and or encrypt various movie components, such
as picture, sound and subtitles together or separately, for example
in a material exchange format (MXF). Also, various versions of such
components may be generated (e.g., excluding video content,
substituting video content, various sound or subtitling content,
etc.). Thus, in exemplary embodiments, digital distribution to
theaters may comprise multiple MXF files (e.g., one or more
specified picture files, sound files, and/or subtitle files) as
well as other files. Such other files may comprise one or more of,
e.g., a packaging list (PKL) file, an asset map (AST) file, and a
composition playlist (CPL) file, which includes appropriate
assembly instructions for proper playback of a movie version.
[0006] For booking and delivery of a movie version, in exemplary
embodiments, a central component interfaces with a booking system
to establish booking information. The interaction establishes
booking information including the type of digital media an
exhibitor can display, the version and final booking data. The
content is encrypted, and the central component generates
encryption keys necessary to exhibit the digital media. The
encryption is performed so that the exhibitor must obtain a
corresponding key for that exhibitor and that booking in order to
access the digital media.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like elements are
numbered alike in the following FIGURE:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating exemplary
interaction of an exemplary digital cinema system with packaging,
encryption, booking and delivery components'
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exemplary screenshot of a packaging asset
manager;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exemplary screenshot of a CPL generator;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary editing of CPLs
via a media player;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exemplary screenshot of a versions manager;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exemplary screenshot of an interface permitting
linking and unlinking of versions and CPLs;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating KDM generation
and delivery to trusted destinations;
[0015] FIG. 8 is an exemplary screenshot detailing KDM deliveries
for a specific exhibitor; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is an exemplary log screenshot listing delivered KDMs
for all vendors.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments, examples of which are illustrated by the accompanying
drawing.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, an example of the presently
described digital cinema system is illustrated generally at 10. The
illustration provides a flowchart detailing interaction of various
components ultimately for the provision of digital cinema to an
auditorium 12. The following description will focus on an exemplary
distribution of digital movie distribution derived from a digital
cinema digital master (DCDM) 14, as may be created by a movie
studio. However, it should be recognized that various components
described below, including packaging components and/or booking and
delivery components, may be used separately for distribution or
packaging of various types of digital content. Accordingly, the
below description is merely an exemplary, non-limiting
configuration.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary packaging platform is
illustrated at 16. A user or studio may input a DCDM 14 into the
platform 16, which in exemplary embodiments is secure from outside
systems due to the value of such masters and packaged components.
In exemplary embodiments, the DCDM is automatically compressed and
encrypted upon input into the packaging platform to ensure that the
uncompressed and unencrypted master material will not be
compromised later in the system. In exemplary embodiments, the DCDM
material is converted to one or more encrypted material exchange
format (MXF) files (MXF files may be generated according to a reel
count, such as: Movie A, reel 2 of 6, and/or may also represent
components of a film, such as Movie A, picture version 3, or Movie
A, sound version 2, or Movie A, subtitle Spanish). The generation
of an exemplary MXF may also entail compression and/or watermarking
of the file.
[0020] The packaging platform 16 may also have independent and/or
secure access to a digital encryption key platform (KDM proxy
(knowledge discovery meta-model)) 18 to permit authorized personnel
to manipulate the encrypted MXF files. In an exemplary embodiment,
the KDM automatically provides keys to authorized users or
workstations when manipulation of MXF files is performed within a
secure environment (such that authorized users may work with MXFs,
edit instructions for manipulating MXFs and arrange plural MXFs
without the perceived need to request authorized keys from the
KDM).
[0021] The packaging platform 16 ultimately generates packaging
instructions (CPL) 20 for generating one or more movie versions 22.
Thus, a version 22 of a movie that ultimately is distributed to an
auditorium 12 may comprise multiple MXFs and a composition playlist
(CPL) (assembly instructions). Other files may also be transmitted,
such as a packaging list (PKL) and/or an asset map (AST). The CPL
chooses which MXFs will be displayed and when such MXFs will be
displayed (at the same time, but potentially offset relative to one
another).
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a first screenshot an exemplary platform
for generation of CPLs by authorized individuals. The upper left
area of the screenshot shows four tabs: Incoming DCDMs 24, Asset
Manager 26, Author CPL 28 and Documentation 30. The exemplary Asset
Manager tab has been selected. The user has the ability to filter
results by title at 32 and to view results by content type, e.g.,
Picture at 34, Sound at 36 and Subtitle at 38. Qualifying system
assets available for generation of a CPL are then displayed, with
various optional identifiers, such as source name, description,
title, encryption status, 2D or 3D version information, duration,
file size, file types, display format and creation date.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary Author CPL tab 28. As may be
seen from the exemplary tool, the user has the ability to select
various picture, sound, subtitle and caption files for display at a
given point in the movie (as sequential reels 40, 42 and 44). For
any given reel, the user also has the option of setting the
entrypoint into any file at 46 and the duration 48 of play of the
file (note that the intrinsic duration 50 of the file is also
displayed for informational purposes). A display player 52 is also
provided to show the user the resulting product based on the
selected materials, including various specified durations and
entrypoints. Such player may illustrate picture and/or sound and/or
subtitles and captions. The player may include options to
automatically move to the next reel in sequence ("Auto Jump Reels"
54), generate a tone on auto jumping 56, and/or show subtitles,
58.
[0024] While not specifically illustrated in FIG. 3, the player may
also have edit tools (e.g., slidable entrypoint markers, duration
markers, and/or offset (relative to other files) corresponding to
the information displayed in the reels 40, 42, 44. FIG. 4 is an
exemplary illustration of such, wherein offsets 60 may be set for
one or more picture 62, sound 64, subtitle 66, etc. files as well
as an end material cutoff point 68 for such files.
[0025] As is noted, the exemplary CPL is a set of pointers or
instructions relative to possible sets of MXFs. Thus, "generation"
of a CPL may be likened to generation of a modifiable set of rules
rather than generation of a final movie version. This is
advantageous from a user interface perspective, since the user need
not worry about the technical aspects of offsetting, editing and/or
merging documents, but is instead allowed to manipulate possible
combinations (in some cases with sliding and drag and drop type
interfaces) without actually creating a final movie form
(essentially creating new CPLs dynamically responding to user
manipulation of the interface). Referring again to FIG. 3, progress
is savable, but editable by re-opening a session via interface
70.
[0026] In exemplary embodiments, the user-friendly interface may be
provided by configuring a local webpage for controlling a set of
devices with device controllers that are cloned to the web server
for editing such files. In such cases, existing web interface rules
may be used by keeping a running time code, with for example two or
three devices linked to the web interface output that can control
the devices and players. In such a way, the files and/or file names
need not even be viewed, and instead, the files may be abstracted
as assets.
[0027] Referring again to FIG. 1, the booking component 72 may
refer to a certain defined version 22, but in exemplary embodiments
wherein the packaging and booking components may operate
separately, the "version" 22 may first be defined as a placeholder
with desired components. For example, FIG. 5 is an exemplary
screenshot, wherein certain desired versions may be entered into
the system for booking purposes. A box 74 lists various version
placeholders, and box 76 provides an entry point for additional
desired versions, specifying e.g., a release country, sound
language, subtitle language, closed captioned language, film type,
trailer indication and/or supplemental description.
[0028] FIG. 6 is an exemplary screenshot, wherein various generated
CPLs (see the exemplary column at 78) may be linked or unlinked
(see action button 80) to versions 22 (see the exemplary column at
82) to connect the booked versions to desired CPLs.
[0029] In exemplary embodiments (where one cares about maintaining
the security of master copies) both the booking and delivery and
the packaging platforms rely on interaction with the KDM component.
As was also described above, where a packaging process is performed
in a secure, authorized environment, encryption keys may be
generated as a matter of course, without specific authorization
having been scheduled. However, with a booking of, e.g., an
auditorium, KDMs should be generated with particularity if the
greatest measure of security is desired.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 7, in general, an exemplary (and secure)
KDM component has a KDM generator 84, AES keys 86 and a Trusted
Roots (List) 88 that are maintained in a physically secure
environment 90. KDM requests pass into the secure environment (see
arrow 92), and keys are passed out from the secure environment (see
arrow 94), as long as such environments are trusted destinations
96.
[0031] Where maximum security is desired, KDM distribution is
dependent upon delivery to a trusted device 98 within the device
configuration 100 of the auditorium 12. That is, the destination
must have a trusted authorized certificate in order for KDM
delivery to occur. In exemplary embodiments, external service
providers 102 may be used to scan such devices 98 to verify trust,
wherein reported certificates may be compared against the trusted
list of roots within the KDM component
[0032] As was noted above, in exemplary embodiments relating, e.g.
to movie theaters, KDMs are generated for specific bookings,
including auditorium, screen number, version, date and duration.
FIG. 8 is an exemplary screenshot showing KDMs generated for
specific movies 104. 106, 108 shown on specific screens at specific
times. Thus, the booking component, the KDM component, including
trusted device verification aspects, and version/CPL aspects all
interrelate as a dynamic database for serving digital content with
minimal personnel interference. Further, the above aspects operate
in parallel to maximize efficiency of delivery and security
(integrating booking and key delivery). Use of external service
providers 102 to verify devices 100 minimizes or eliminates down
time due to, e.g., device swaps or upgrades, and linking of
versions and CPLs completes the chain for delivery.
[0033] Further, the system may be configured to constantly look to
verify the existence of proper KDMs for materials and bookings
(e.g., in a left join process to verify key generation). For
example, if devices are swapped at the exhibitor end, it is
possible that old KDMs are invalid, or that additional fulfillment
needs to occur. The system may be configured to continually check
to verify that KDMs have been made, are current, and have been
delivered. This type of construction also provides the ability to
accurately log all KDM conditions, such as is illustrated generally
at 110 in FIG. 9.
[0034] In exemplary embodiments, distribution is provided via a
remote access server (RAS), which may be used as a KDM proxy. In
exemplary embodiments, a problem arises in circumstances where all
third parties utilize the same internet protocol (IP) address
(since all third parties must output KDMs). Delivery is an
important part of the system, and in exemplary embodiments PPP
protocol may be used. If the IP address is the same for all third
parties (e.g., all theaters), general conflicts would arise where
multiple connections are desired (e.g., establishing 20 connections
simultaneously to 20 theaters). Where telephone lines are utilized,
the theaters do not have discernible network interface card (NIC)
identifiers.
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, such conflicts are resolved by
utilizing packet flagging in conjunction with virtual routing
tables. By this process, concurrent sessions may be initiated over
telephone lines by uniquely targeting specific theaters.
[0036] In exemplary embodiments, the system is configured to
package digital cinema that may be displayed by exhibitors in a
format and/or resolution that is equal to or better than that of
traditional 35 mm Answer Print. Also, in exemplary embodiments, the
system is based around global standards such that content may be
distributed and exhibited anywhere in the world (as can be done
with traditional 35 mm print).
[0037] In exemplary embodiments, the system is also based upon a
discrete component architecture (e.g., Mastering, Compression,
Encryption, Transport, Storage, Playback, Projection) that allows
for components to be replaced or upgraded without replacement of
the entire system.
[0038] Also, in exemplary embodiments, the encryption format is a
single common encryption format with common keys for decryption of
content. The content may be encrypted from the time of encoding in
post-production all the way until it is projected on an exhibitor's
screen. Decryption keys may be provided only to authorized entities
via secure data transmission environments or via physical delivery.
In other exemplary embodiments, the system included capacities to
renew or replace encryption components in case of a breach of
security. In other exemplary embodiments, encryption components are
specific to an exhibitor.
[0039] In additional exemplary embodiments, packaged digital cinema
includes forensic marking of the content for providing traceable
forensic evidence in the case of a theft of the content. Such
marking may be specific to the system, generally, or specific to
the exhibitor.
[0040] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while
exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, various
modifications and variations can be made to the system for
distributing digital media to exhibitors disclosed herein without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly,
it is to be understood that the various embodiments have been
described by way of illustration and not limitation.
* * * * *